The Colombo Maritime Museum is located in the heart of the Colombo city and is a unique museum that provides an insight into the maritime history of Sri Lanka. It is housed in the oldest building in the city, the old Dutch Hospital. The museum was established in 1992 as a center to explore and promote Sri Lankan maritime culture and heritage. The museum displays a variety of artifacts, including maritime maps, model ships, old navigational instruments, and artifacts related to various aspects of maritime trade and navigation.
The collections of the Colombo Maritime Museum are divided into several galleries, including the Maritime Trade Gallery, which displays the history of maritime trade in Sri Lanka, the Maritime Archaeology Gallery, which showcases artifacts from shipwrecks and archaeological sites, and the Maritime Art Gallery, which showcases traditional maritime art from Sri Lanka. The museum also has a special gallery dedicated to the country’s most famous maritime figure, Admiral Henry Steel Olcott, as well as a library and a theater. The museum also organizes educational events and programs for the public, including lectures, workshops, and exhibitions.
